Push button actuated powder dispensing device



Nov. 4,1947. A. SlLVlUS 2,430,192

PUSH BUTTON ACTUATED POWDER DISPENSING DEVICE Filed June 15, 1946 INVENTOR.

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Patented Nov. 4, 1947 ruse BUTTON ACTUATED POWDER DISPENSING DEVICE Reuben A. Silvius, Glendale, Calif. Application June 15, 1946, Serial No. 677,003

3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a device for dispensing measured quantities of dry material from a container.

The main difficulty in dispensing powdered material, such as soap, sugar and the like, from a container is that moisture causes the material in the container to become clog y. The material will for this reasonv not always readily flow through the container, the result being that the quantity dispensed becomes uncertain.

In view of the foregoing it is the general object of the present invention to provide a simple and economical device which is constructed to prevent clogging of the material to be dispensed and so may be relied upon to deliver the material in. uniform measure.

To this end the device consists in the combinations hereinafter described in detail, and reference is invited to the accompanying drawings in which preferred forms of the invention are illustrated. V

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a device embodying the invention, and with the front portion of the casing thereof broken away for the sake of clearness.

Fig. 2 is a plan view or the lower portion of the device of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a substantially corresponding side view of the device in which certain important modifications are embodied, as will be fully explained in the following description.

As shown in the drawings, the structure of the invention comprises a support l which is shaped for mounting on a wall surface, but it may be differently constructed if desired. The outer portion of this support is substantially cup-shaped and it is made at the top with internal screw threads l for receiving a container 2, such as ordinarily used in devices of the kind herein considered and which may be closed at the top by means of a removable cap 3. A stem d is vertically seated within the support for axial movement in a frame 5 consisting of a front plate 6 and a backing 1, and this front plate is made with laterally'projecting lips 6 6 through which the said stem extends. The backing l is shaped at the top thereof to provide a horizontally extendingtubular guide for an operating rod 8, and the latter is, at the outer end, provided with a finger piece or knob 9. The support is made within the outer wall thereof with a recess l from which a passage i extends to the outer surface of the bracket of a size to receivethe push rod 8. The backing 1 is made with lips l 1 which are bent material, and the plate IE on its pivot. Because over the edges of the front plate 6 for the purpose of maintaining the latter rigidly in position thereon.

The device so far described is mountable into the position indicated in Fig. 1, before the knob 9 is secured to the push rod, by inserting the end of the latter through the recess l and perforation 1 of the casing. The frame is thereupon swung downward into the position of Fig. 1, wherein the outer end ofthe frame is shown seated within the recess l and the inner end thereof comes to rest on an annular bead .I of the support. When thereupon the container 2 is screwed into position on the support, it is seen that the frame is held rigidly in position therein.

The support is at the bottom shown perforated to provide a passage I for discharge of dispensed stem 4 is at the bottom thereof fitted with a circular disc l2 which, when the device is in the position indicated in Fig. 1, seats on the bottom of the support thereby to close the discharge opening thereof. A circular'plate i3 is secured to the upper end of the stem i, and this plate is somewhat smaller in diameter than the bottom opening of the container in order to afford a passage for the material within the container into the lower portion of the support. A pin 14 extends through the front and rear members of the frame 5 and it serves as a pivot for a cam plate l5, the upper cam surface of which rides on the bottom surface of the circular plate it. The cam plate is made with an elongated perforation 15 in which is seated a laterally projecting stud 16 of the push rod 8.

In view of the foregoing brief description, it is seen that advance movement of the push rod into the frame 5 causes the stud Hi to swing the cam this pivot is set off to one side of the center line of the stem l, it is found that this swinging movement of the cam plate causes the circular plate IE to rise within the neck of the container and to carry with it the stem 4 and the bottom disc l2, ther eby to open the discharge passage I and so permit the material within the lower portion of the bracket to discharge therefrom. It is noticed that the circular plate i3 is fitted on the under side thereof with a number of radially extending ribs I3 one of which, when the cam plate I5 is rotated to elevate this circular plate, is engaged by a projection 15 thereof to impart a partial rotation to the circularplate l3. A spring I! is seated within the inner end of the guide for the push rod 8 for the purpose of returning the latter 3 to its initial Fi 1.

In powder dispensers in commercial use of the type herein considered, it is common practice to discharge the powder from a central opening at the bottom of the dispenser. .As this opening is very much smaller in diameter than the container for the powder, and also because the walls of the container and the dispenser taper down to the size of the discharge opening, it is found that, as the powder settles within the device when the latter is operated to dispense powder, there is a constant tendency for the powder to become tightly jammed together and to clog directly above the discharge opening. Such devices are for this reason not very reliable, and it is, as above stated, the principal object in which such clogging, due to the compaction and the weight of the superimposed powder, is eliminated. I have found that by placing this circular plate 53 within the neck of the conof the powder therein is carried on this circular plate and the pressure of the weight thereof relieved. I have found, furthermore, by rapidly swinging the cam plate to elevate and rotate the circular plate l3, that the material between the plate, and the neck of the container, relieved of the pressure of the weight thereof, is free to drop through the discharge opening of the bracket. I have found, also, that opening I of the support when thestem again returns to its initial position. In such manner it is possible more definitely to gage the quantity of material to be dispensed at each operation of the device. In all other respects the device may remain exactly as above first described.

While I have described a preferred form of the invention, I wish it understood that modifications may be embodied therein, within the scope of the claims hereto appended. It is, for exam- I claim: 1. In a dispenser for powder and granular material, a container for such material, a cup-shaped tral discharge port and having internal screw threads at the top for receiving said container,

projected position, as indicated in a dispensing member comprising a stem coaxially mounted within the receptacle, said stem terminating at the bottom in a valve normally closing said discharge port and fitted at the top with a circular disc freely seated within said container, 2. plunger horizontally extending into the receptacle, said plunger having an element engaging said member to move the latter axially in response to advance movement of the plunger and at the same time to rotate the member, and resilient means urging return movement of the plunger thereby to cause the member to return to its initial position.

2. A powder dispenser comprising a cylindrical receptacle having at the bottom thereof a coaxial discharge port, a frame mounted Within said receptacle, a dispensing member consisting of a stem coaxially mounted on said frame, said member terminating at the bottom in a valve normally closing said discharge port and having ceptacle and having on the bottom surface thereof a series of radially extending ribs, a cam pivotally hung in said frame, a plunger extending having an ele- UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,846,775 Wegmann et al. Feb. 23, 1932 2,180,468 Hochstim Nov. 21, 1939 2,418,036

Lane Mar. 25, 1947 

